I am starting to set aside some patterns and ideas for next winter's coat. My LLBean topper (3/4 length red wool) is showing its age. I have worn it with pants and short skirts. I also had a vintage style brown tweed coat which was mid calf...a great look with boots.

Now that I am not working, I'd like a coat that will go over casual wear but also can be layered over a nice dress for dinner out.

What are your favorite styles? What fabrics do you like to use or wear in a coat?

I've done Simplicity 2812 in the knee length and the jacket length. I like the princess seams and the closer fit. I used a silk/wool tweed for the dressier one and a wool/ mohair for one. I also have Simplicity 2508 done except for the buttons and buttonholes (haven't found any buttons for it yet) . I did the bracelet sleeve, I'm not sure if I'll like that sleeve length or not but it is a cute casual jacket pattern. I made a wrap coat from a vintage pattern in a gorgeous heavier wool. For petites I think princess seams, belted styles, detailed collars but not too large and a closer fit look good. I muslined the Lady Grey pattern last year but, as I thought it might be, it was just too much for my frame :(

I haven't done a review at all yet :eek:, pretty bad, I know. Maybe I should review the trench coat I'm making as there has only been one review so far. I think the other ones have quite a few as the patterns have been out for awhile now.

You might be looking for something more structured, and I probably shouldn't be recommending something that I still haven't sewn , but I love the looks of the Soho coat from The Sewing Workshop. Magoe6217 mentions in her review where she did the petiting (sp?), making it much easier for me when I finally get around to sewing it. If you're looking for something not quite so long, Catherine Goetz reviewed her shortened versions of it.

How did you know that I stop every time I see the Soho coat? I love the design and the room for interpretation the pattern offers. Thanks for the review links. I've made a note to go back to this pattern when planning a loose fitting coat.

I made this one in early fall out of an embroidered wool blend I found at JoAnn's and I am still as happy with it today as I was the day I finished it. I think I'm going to make it again in one of the other lengths for this coming winter, and probably in black or charcoal.

I also have a cape that I love (No pic or review though). It looks very stylish with a dress but it also looks great over jeans.

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